Edmonton Oilers goalie Ben Scrivens made NHL history last night

59 saves!

Oilers goalie Ben Scrivens makes one of his many saves against the Sharks. Photo: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

While most hockey fans Wednesday night were tuned into the Rangers and Isles Stadium Series showdown in New York, the real story was happening in Edmonton.

Recently acquired Oilers goalie Ben Scrivens put on an absolute clinic last night, setting an NHL regular-season record with a 59-save shutout against the San Jose Sharks.

Scrivens’ performance was nothing short of thrilling as he fought off a very determined Sharks team that was firing on cylinders. He stopped 20 shots in the first period, 22 in the second and 17 in the third in the 3-0 win.

You can add this amazing flurry of saves late in the second period to the highlight reel.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Scrivens’ 59-save total edges out the previous regular-season shutout record of 54 set by Coyotes netminder Mike Smith against the Blue Jackets on April 3, 2012.

Scrivens improved to 9-7-4 in 23 appearances this season, and is 2-2 since being traded to the Oilers from the Los Angeles Kings. He leads the league in save percentage (.937), is tied for second in shutouts (4) and ranks third in goals-against average (1.93).

After his record-setting game, Scrivens, a Cornell graduate who earned the nickname “The Professor” during his time in LA, was modest about his on-ice performance when he spoke to the media:

“It was an inauspicious start to it. It’s one of those things where you try not to look through the forest when you’re in the trees. You just try to focus on the process and give yourself a chance to make that save and as soon as the puck drops again, you don’t try to get too far ahead of yourself.”

After the game, Oilers winger Taylor Hall was in awe of his teammate’s performance:

I don’t think I’ve even seen anything like that on TV. That was amazing. It’s not like they were 59 shots from the wall, it was ‘grade A’ chances.

Fans have been less than happy with the team’s inconsistent performance this season, with one going so far as to throw a jersey onto the ice in disgust. Team owner Daryl Katz even wrote an open letter to fans begging them not to bail on the team just yet.

After Scrivens’ thrilling performance last night, they have more than enough reason to stay.

While most hockey fans Wednesday night were tuned into the Rangers and Isles Stadium Series showdown in New York, the real story was (…)

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